Presidential Office on Slang Controversy: "False Reports Directly Affect Public Life and Safety... Not Targeting Opposition Party"

Calls for Replacement of Foreign Affairs and Security Officials Dismissed as "President Mentioned Achievements This Morning"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 26th, the Presidential Office stated regarding the controversy over President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'vulgar remarks' made during his visit to New York, USA, that "false reports in the silent war to maximize national interests such as diplomatic tours have a detrimental effect directly related to the lives and safety of the people."

Deputy Spokesperson Lee Jae-myung of the Presidential Office explained this during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, regarding President Yoon's doorstepping (brief Q&A on the way to work) remarks.

Earlier, on the 21st (local time), after attending the 7th replenishment conference of the Global Fund hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden in New York, President Yoon was caught on camera seemingly saying, "What if these XX in the National Assembly don't approve it? Won't Biden be embarrassed?" The controversy escalated as reports interpreted the remark as "What if Biden is embarrassed?"

In response, Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations at the Presidential Office, stated in a briefing, "The ruling party conveyed to Minister Park Jin the concern that if the large opposition party, which controls the budget review rights for fund contributions, refuses to fulfill the minimum responsibility toward the international community, the country's reputation may be at stake." She claimed that President Yoon's words were "If the National Assembly does not approve and lets it fail."

Deputy Spokesperson Lee emphasized, "Moreover, sacrificing alliances can put the people in danger," adding, "The victims are none other than the people, which was the message President Yoon wanted to emphasize."

Earlier that morning, when asked by reporters about the related question on his way to work, President Yoon said, "Rather than a controversy..." and added, "False reports that damage alliances put the people in danger."

Regarding the fact-finding investigation mentioned by President Yoon, a Presidential Office official told reporters, "It is not an easy situation or condition for the Presidential Office to take the lead in conducting a fact-finding investigation," adding, "I think the ruling party and others will conduct additional investigations."

When criticized that it took too long to clarify, the Presidential Office official responded, "You asked why the explanation came 13 hours later, but I think the question is wrong," and pointed out, "If everyone had waited for the truth, such time would not have been necessary."

He continued, "It took much more time to confirm that the word known was not the case," and stressed, "In other words, it was not that the explanation came after 13 hours, but that those 13 hours were wasted during the tour."

After mentioning remarks made by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the vulgar language controversy, he added, "I think the Democratic Party also suggested that it might not have been Biden," and "It is still difficult to specify clear facts."

Regarding the Democratic Party's demand for changes in the diplomatic and security line, he dismissed the possibility, saying, "President Yoon sufficiently spoke about the achievements including the Korea-U.S. and Korea-Japan talks this morning." Also, concerning the motion to dismiss Foreign Minister Park Jin, he avoided answering by saying, "I think it is a matter for the ruling party, the partner of the opposition."

About the schedule for a meeting between President Yoon and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, he said, "Although the timing cannot be specified, there will be an opportunity to explain (the tour achievements) with the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties as promised several times."

The Presidential Office clarified again that the remarks were not aimed at the opposition party at the time. The official added, "To my recollection, it was not a response targeting the opposition party," explaining that it referred to the National Assembly.

Regarding the continued issue over the vulgar term "이 XX" despite accepting the Presidential Office's explanation, he said, "We will not clarify the position on '이XX'."